PDF versionJob Summary
This position is responsible for performing geotechnical investigations, conducting analyses, and providing design recommendations for the Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD). Projects involve a special emphasis in foundations, retaining wall design, embankment design, slope stability, and subsurface investigations as it relates to roadway and bridge construction.
Major Duties
As a Civil Engineer (Geotechnical) you will:
- Represent the Geotechnical Section on Division cross-functional teams in providing geotechnical recommendations in support of roadway, bridge, and trail projects.
- Plan and oversee geotechnical site investigations and instrumentation programs, develop laboratory testing programs, complete geotechnical analyses, and provide geotechnical recommendations in support of the WFLHD Program. You will develop geotechnical design details, write construction specifications for geotechnical project elements, and complete geotechnical reports and memoranda.
- Develop and provide geotechnical recommendations in areas including but not limited to: shallow and deep foundations; earth retaining structures; reinforced soil slopes and reinforced embankments; embankment designs using both soil and rock; subsurface drainage; subgrade support; ground improvement; slope stability designs including landslide mitigation; and other geotechnical design areas.
- Provide technical advice and assistance to resolve geotechnical issues that arise during construction and provide field support and inspection assistance during construction of Geotechnical design elements.
The ideal candidate for this position is a mid-career geotechnical engineering professional with experience working in mountainous terrain. The ideal candidate will have experience specific to the Coast Ranges of Oregon and Washington, the Northern Rocky Mountains, and Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington. This includes regional experience in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington, and western Wyoming. This ideal candidate will have a diverse background in geotechnical engineering, specifically in investigation, characterization, and mitigation of complex geotechnical challenges related to highway and bridge design and construction. These issues include: rock and soil mechanics, slope stability and drainage, earth retaining structures, foundations, and construction support for geotechnical components of road and bridge contracts. This candidate thrives in a collaborative, team-based environment to meet client objectives for the design and construction of roads and bridges in environmentally challenging settings.
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet theEducation Requirementfor the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification,AND(3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for consideration for an engineering position:A. Successful completion of a degree in engineering that: (1) has at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) that included differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced that first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials; (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials; and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; ORB. Combination of education or training: college level education, training and/or technical experience that has furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:1. Professional registration or licensure - current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE).2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences which included the courses as specified in Paragraph A above.4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. There should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering type experience. This must be clearly described in your resume.For more specifics, please see the OPM qualifications standard for GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdfTo qualify on for the GS-11 on Experience,you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09, it must include: Experience in various geotechnical aspects of transportation projects including the coordination of subsurface field investigations, geotechnical design analysis, and preparation of geotechnical memos and reports. Experience providing recommendations for foundations, slope stability, and retaining walls systems to include cost considerations and constructability. To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone,you must have: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the Grade 12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience in all geotechnical aspects of transportation projects which include the development of subsurface field investigations, performance of geotechnical design analysis, and preparation of geotechnical memos and reports. Experience in determining foundations, slope stability, and retaining walls systems to include cost considerations and constructability while also determining the best approach to carry out to completion. You cannot substitute education at this level; you must have experience.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Pay Range
$66,250.00 - $103,232.00